Malaysia reviews Mediation Act to strengthen community dispute resolution

At a ceremony launching a public-housing mediation centre in Kuala Lumpur, the National Unity Ministry announced a review of the Mediation Act 2012 to create a more explicit legal basis for community mediation under the National Unity and Integration Department. Minister Aaron Ago Dagang noted that existing provisions in the Rukun Tetangga Act are insufficient and instructed JPNIN to work with the Legal Affairs Division on amendment proposals.

He also called for JPNIN and the National Integration Research and Training Institute to study mediation laws in Singapore, India and Sri Lanka for best-practice insights. The government plans to add twelve new Community Mediation Centres nationwide this year, targeting locations such as Kota Kinabalu, Miri, Pontian, Kuala Terengganu and Shah Alam. The new centre in Seri Kota, the 11th of its kind, was selected based on population size, local facilities and community demand. These centres aim to provide early conflict resolution and reduce tensions within neighborhoods.